Happy third birthday, Android: A timeline of Google’s mobile offspring

November 5, 2010 By Molly McHugh

Before you know it, they're all grown up. Android celebrates it's third year on the market, and in such a short time, Google's open source platform has certainly grown.

It seems only yesterday that Google’s Android platform began making execs at Apple sweat. Three years ago today it premiered on the market, and is now the OS of choice for 44 percent of Americans and steadily growing. And it’s not slowing down: Android has extended its reach to tablets, TVs, cars, and all while remaining open source. Don’t expect Google’s insanely popular platform to back down, either – it’s only been three short years, so there’s plenty to come. Here’s a short look back at the company’s milestones to date.

November 2007
Google introduces Android for the first time, emphasizing its emergence as the first open platform for smartphones on the market.

August 2008
The platform’s answer to the App Store, the Android Market, is announced.

September 2008
The first phone, the G1, is revealed, along with it the Android SDK. A month later, it’s put on shelves and the code is made open to the public. The smartphone is a well-lauded and welcomed rival to the iPhone, and tech enthusiasts in particular are thrilled with its functionality.

February 2009
Software upgrade Cupcake introduced.

September 2009
Software upgrade Donut introduced.

October 2009
Software upgrade Éclair is introduced.

November 2009
Android has a hit with its new phone for Motorola. The Motorola Droid hits stores and moves 100,000 units in its first weekend.

January 2010
The Nexus One is unveiled, with an Android platform – Google’s first and only attempt at producing all components of the phone. Its’ launch turns out to be disappointing and it’s unable to compete with the iPhone and the Droid. Let’s be honest, the entire thing was a little embarrassing.

May 2010
Google TV is introduced, built on Android and Chrome.

July-August 2010
Froyo (the latest software upgrade) is also released – although it appears only a fraction of Android users are utilizing it.

September 2010
The Samsung Galaxy Tab is released, and gives the iPad some stuff competition – and even outperforms it in a few categories. It’s expected to sell 1 million units in 2010.

October 2010
Two years after its debut, the Android Market reaches 100,000 apps.

Showing 9 comments

JonnyBoy6 at 11:52am 20th November 2010 Another correction: Cupcake came out in late April/ early May 2009, Android 1.1 (RC33) was the one released in Feb 2009. I commented on your same post in Yahoo! News.
The spelling police at 12:52pm 8th November 2010 September 2010 "stuff" competition? :P
ilankumaran at 4:02am 6th November 2010 nice info.
sam at 10:20pm 5th November 2010 Happy birthday!!! Where did you get this info though?
Nick at 9:19pm 5th November 2010 I appreciate this Happy Birthday post, but some of this info is wrong. First, the Droid isn't the second Android Phone. More around the 5th or 10th. Also, I think the Nexus deserves some credit. It wasn't meant to be some big competitor, it was meant to show what Android is capable of. It's still one of the best phones out there today. I believe the G2 was the first phone to overpower it, though slightly.
1. Carrie at 9:49pm 5th November 2010 The Droid was hardly the 5th or 10th to run Android. I think the Droid Eris came out before the Motorola Droid, but I am not sure. I do know that the Verizon Droid was easily in the top three introduced. The Nexus WAS created to show what the Android OS was capable of. It of course was meant to be a competitor, why else would they even introduce it then?
2. ioman at 9:51pm 5th November 2010 "Also, I think the Nexus deserves some credit. It wasn't meant to be some big competitor, it was meant to show what Android is capable of. " Where does that come from and where does the author say the Nexus doesn't deserve some credit?
3. nick_mokey at 8:27am 8th November 2010 You're right that the Motorola Droid wasn't the second Android phone ever produced, thanks for the correction. Article has been edited to that effect.
@AndroidGuides at 5:53pm 5th November 2010 Wondering what Android had to celebrate. Cup Cakes, Ginger Bread Men, Chocolate Eclairs or what?u